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The Ottawa RedBlacks will be able to cut some big cheques and that could put them in the mix to sign several of the CFL's top free agents come Feb. 15 at noon.

The CFL released its list of potential free agents on Thursday -- and it's a doozy, full of playmakers and stars. Keep in mind that any of these players could agree to a new contract with their current teams before free agency begins -- but if money is a factor, they might want to hold off until Feb. 15.

The RedBlacks, after all, start at zero with a league salary cap that was $4.4 million this past season and could spike upwards when a new CBA is put in place.

At quarterback, the RedBlacks could have a choice of 38-year-old Henry Burris, who led the CFL in passing yards with 4,925, Saskatchewan's Drew Willy and Toronto's Zach Collaros -- the latter younger options, with one of them likely to end up in Ottawa.

The RedBlacks could set themselves up with a star running back. The league's second-leading rusher, Kory Sheets, the Grey Cup MVP, could be available. Winnipeg's Chad Simpson is another very good option.

At wide receiver, Saskatchewan's Weston Dressler would be a great catch. With 1,011 yards in receptions, he was sixth in the league. Calgary's Maurice Price and Toronto's Dontrelle Inman are among the other potential free-agent options at that position.

There are plenty of linebackers that would interest Ottawa.

Montreal Alouettes' Kyries Hebert played for the Renegades in 2004-05. He's 33, but is still a force. Toronto's Robert McCune is a beast, third in the league in tackles with 99. Winnipeg's Henoc Muamba was second in the league in tackles, with 106. And as a bonus, he's a non-import.

Montreal's Shea Emry is another non-import who Ottawa might be interested in. Hamilton's Simoni Lawrence and Jamall Johnson are both great options.

As for defensive backs, Toronto's Patrick Watkins is a dominant force that will attract plenty of interest if he doesn't get a deal done with the Argos.

On the offensive line, Ottawa-born Scott Mitchell could be available. Montreal's Josh Bourke, a former all-star, could also be available. Both get extra value because of their birth certificates. CFL teams traditionally have a mostly Canadian offensive line.

Another player with Ottawa connections, Winnipeg punter Mike Renaud, tied for sixth in the league with a 43.9-yard kicking average. But Ottawa may well grab its punter in the expansion draft, especially if Calgary doesn't protect Rob Maver, whose 45.7-yard average was second in the league.

Big, skilled crop of potential free agents beckon Ottawa RedBlacks

The Ottawa RedBlacks will be able to cut some big cheques and that could put them in the mix to sign several of the CFL's top free agents come Feb. 15 at noon.

The CFL released its list of potential free agents on Thursday -- and it's a doozy, full of playmakers and stars. Keep in mind that any of these players could agree to a new contract with their current teams before free agency begins -- but if money is a factor, they might want to hold off until Feb. 15.

The RedBlacks, after all, start at zero with a league salary cap that was $4.4 million this past season and could spike upwards when a new CBA is put in place.

At quarterback, the RedBlacks could have a choice of 38-year-old Henry Burris, who led the CFL in passing yards with 4,925, Saskatchewan's Drew Willy and Toronto's Zach Collaros -- the latter younger options, with one of them likely to end up in Ottawa.